Florida's AHCA Sec. Medows Presents Prestigious Gold Seal to Harbour's Edge on Behalf of Gov. Bush

On Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002, Rhonda Medows, MD, secretary of Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), officially awarded Harbour's Edge, on behalf of Gov. Jeb Bush, with the Gold Seal. On Oct. 8, 2002, Gov. Bush approved Harbour's Edge among four more Gold Seal nursing homes that have been designated the top nursing care facilities in the state. The Gold Seal program was designed to reward those facilities with exceptional high standards of care and quality of life.

For Immediate Release
Oct. 28, 2002
Contact: Ian L. Cordes
at (561) 371-2586
icordes@corecare.net

Sec. Medows Presents Prestigious Gold Seal to Harbour's Edge on Behalf of Gov. Bush

Delray Beach, Fla. -- On Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002, Rhonda Medows, MD, secretary of Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), officially awarded Harbour's Edge, on behalf of Gov. Jeb Bush, with the Gold Seal. The garden ceremony was attended by enthusiastic Harbour's Edge residents and their families; staff members; Bob Bond, past state president of the Florida Life Care Residents Association (FLiCRA); FLiCRA Chapter 130 President Claire Clydesdale; Scott Harrison, chief operating officer, Life Care Retirement Communities (LCRC), Des Moines, Iowa; Tom Clydesdale, president of the Harbour's Edge Resident Council; and Mary Harrison, senior vice president -- director of operations, Life Care Services.

Other special guests included Jeffrey Perlman, vice-mayor of Delray Beach, Delray Beach City Commissioner John Levinson, and Diana Rieland, AHCA field office manager for West Palm Beach.

Set on the garden patio of the Health Center, under the shade of huge banyan trees, Kim Dominy, executive director of Harbour's Edge, welcomed everyone. Scott Harrison brought greetings from the Board of Directors of LCRC and shared his pride in the accomplishment. "To our staff, thank you, the Gold Seal belongs to you!" he said.

Bob Bond, who in addition to his FLiCRA affiliation is also a member of the Panel on Excellence, said, "We had no problem in recommending to the governor that the Gold Seal be awarded to Harbour's Edge."

Representing the residents at Harbour's Edge, Tom Clydesdale was delighted that Harbour's Edge was recognized with the Gold Seal. He then introduced Mary Harrison who commented on the facilitys earliest beginnings.

"The birthing of Harbour's Edge was filled with great challenges, but the history since has been full of excellence," she said.

"There has always been a special synergy between the staff and residents that has made Harbour's Edge an outstanding community. We all look for ways in which we can make a difference and the staff at Harbour's Edge makes a difference every day," Harrison added.

Mary Harrison then introduced Linda Haapala, director of nursing, and Dixie Hennington, assistant director of nursing, at the Health Center. "All of us know that we couldn't have done it without Linda," Dixie exclaimed, as she motioned to Haapala. In her remarks, Haapala thanked the staff for making the Gold Seal possible and for giving her a career highlight that will not soon be forgotten.

Next on the program was Dr. Medows. "Today, Harbour's Edge joins the ranks of excellence in long-term care. On behalf of the governor, I'd like to present you all with the Gold Seal," Medows said.

"Harbour's Edge is truly a marvelous place," she concluded.

Nursing homes across the state have been reviewed by the Panel on Excellence in Long-Term Care, which is chaired by Sec. Medows. Each one must be nominated by the Long-Term Care Committee in order to be eligible for the Gold Seal program. They must also go through a rigorous screening and application process and comply with the performance criteria to receive the Gold Seal designation. The criteria include: In operation a minimum of 30 months prior to the date of application; Provide evidence of financial soundness and stability; High quality of care ranking; No "conditional" licenses or nursing home watch list appearance in the past 30 months; Evidence of community involvement; and a stable workforce.

Gov. Bush and Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan announced the first six Gold Seal homes in July, bringing the total to 10 facilities, out of the approximately 763 licensed nursing centers in the state. On Oct. 8, 2002, Gov. Bush approved Harbour's Edge among four more Gold Seal nursing homes that have been designated the top nursing care facilities in the state. The Gold Seal program was designed to reward those facilities with exceptional high standards of care and quality of life.

Joining Harbour's Edge are sister facilities, Bon Secours Maria Manor Nursing Center, St. Petersburg; and Village on the Green, Longwood. All three are managed by Life Care Services (LCS) which has been actively involved in the planning, development, or management of more than 100 senior resident communities throughout the United States, with 13 located in Florida. To date, more than 20,000 residents have chosen to live in these communities over the past 36 years.

For additional information about Harbour's Edge and the Gold Seal, contact Ian Cordes, (561) 371-2586, e-mail icordes@corecare.net, or fax: (561) 659-1291.

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